About This Project

TheLois Phillips Hudsonproject began in 2011 as an outgrowth of the Rural Lit RALLY (RLR) Initiative, under the direction of Dr. Paul G. Theobald.

Shortly after the inception of Rural Lit RALLY (RLR), attempts to contact Dr. Hudson were made, in the hope of interviewing her for the RLR website. Regrettably, we were notified by her family that she had passed away just a few weeks before they received our letter. Over a period of some months, we established a rapport with Lucy Hudson, Lois’ daughter, and Mary Snow, Lois’ partner of many years. This relationship ultimately led to their donation of Dr. Hudson’s papers to RLR, for archiving and research purposes, and the establishment of this website aimed at preserving and promoting Dr. Hudson’s legacy.

Over the next few years, we moved steadily forward to increase interest in Dr. Hudson’s life and work. We coordinated with a variety of venues, notably the Redmond Historical Society and Redmond Library, located in Lois’ “hometown” of Redmond, Washington; we also created exhibits on Hudson’s life and work that have appeared in many parts of the country.

In December, 2015, the Hudson projects were formally transferred to the direction of Cynthia L. Anthony, former RLR project manager, who will now devote her energies solely to the Hudson project. Cynthia has always been the driving force behind the Hudson endeavors, including the publication of one of Lois’ two unpublished works,Unrestorable Habitat: Microsoft is My Neighbor Now. Originally published in electronic format in March, 2014, a paperback version was made available in August, 2015 (by request). Currently under consideration for publication is a second manuscript, which might be accurately called Lois’ life work, The Kindly Fruits of the Earth. Additionally, Cynthia recently oversaw the completion of arrangements for the Washington State Historical Society to accept the Lois Phillips Hudson Papers for permanent housing.

Assistance to the projects is provided by A. Paul Reynolds (Buffalo State College); Dr. Ann Putnam, (University of Puget Sound), serves as special consultant; technical assistance is provided by Ronald G. Perrine (Washington State University). Additional contributions are made by John Henry. Each of these individuals have been involved with the Hudson work in one capacity or another since its inception, and all have been instrumental in the successes that have been achieved to date.

We look forward to continuing work on many levels, in many areas, to renew interest in what we believe is one of our country’s great authors before our collective memory of her contributions to literature, environmental, and women’s issues, is lost.